Take an Independence Day trip - Attractions - Israel travel and tourism

What's the best way to get to know Israel? Take a trip around the country. This time, to celebrate 60 years of the State, come and try something different: jeep rides, treasure hunts and walking treks.

You could hold a barbecue (mandatory on Independence Day). Or you could take the whole family to visit unique historical sites, but in order to really honor the 60th birthday of the State of Israel hand in hand with its independence, go on a trip, because only then will you get to see the land close-up, a country that will very shortly be reaching retirement age but with no intention of give up work.

(Yaron Kaminsky)

Stories of the old Nitzanim site
What is it: Fascinating tours of the new Nitzanim site where you will encounter characters from the past, discover what happened at the battle of Nitzanim and watch an exciting audio-visual presentation. To finish, you can find out about trips you can take independently within the nature reserve.

When: Thursday 8th May between 10:00 and 12:00 at the Shekamim Field School.
Cost: Free
Contact details: 03 638 8688; 057 200 3030

Family outing in the Galilee
What is it: A journey through the orchard groves and fields of the western Galilee, to the Monument of the Fourteen Hands; visit the site immortalizing those that fell at the battle of the Night of the Bridges in 1946 and from there continue onto the beach promenade until you reach the caves. After that, climb the tower and stockade defenses which protected the homes of the first settlers in Hanita and end with a walking tour in Adamit Park with views over the Galilee and the sea.

When: Friday 9th May at 09:00.
Cost: 40 NIS.
Contact details: The Jewish National Fund "Forest Line" 1800 350 550

Independence Celebration in Adulam Park
As a birthday present, The Jewish National Fund is giving the State the Adulam Caves Park. You are invited to enjoy celebratory hikes, an abundance of activities for all the family, creative workshops and kites, archeological activities for the children, a coin workshop, a bike ride and a tour in field cars along the trails crossing the park. Following the activities, an independence celebration will be held in the ruins with singer Einat Saruf and other artists.

When: Thursday 8.5 at 11:00.
Cost: Free.
Contact details: The Jewish National Fund "Forest Line" 1800 350 550

Oil Lamp Tours at the Castel
What is it: A tour by oil lamp through the winding caves, water holes and olive oil press in the Castel National Park. During the tour, the participants will walk through the reserve, imagining the difficulties in transferring the supply convoys to the hidden city and between the military outposts. From there, you will continue to the national park and by the light of an oil lamp you will wander through the connecting trenches and discover the stories of the "Castel" that constituted one of the turning points of the War of Independence.

When: 9, 10 May from 17:00.
Cost: 45 NIS adults; 35 NIS children.
Contact details: *3639 (from within Israel).

Stories, palace and sand dunes
What is it: An evening trek to the sand dunes reservation at Nitzanim. Visit the "palace" - proof of the courage of the inhabitants of Nitzanim, sixty years ago; wander around the sand dunes; be amazed by the beautiful sunset, roll down the golden dunes, observe different animals and snack on pita and tea.

When: Friday 9.5 at 15:00.
Cost: 60-90 NIS
Contact details: 03 638 8688; 057 200 3030.

Tractors and wagons
What is it: Experiential activities for children and parents at the Courtyard Museum, Kibbutz Ein Shemer, to symbolize sixty years of agriculture in Israel. The outing includes a wonderful display of tractors, agricultural tools from the period during and before the foundation of the State, creative activities, a ride on the Turkish Railway that dates back to the beginning of the last century and a tour of the wagons that were harnessed to the tractors.

When: Saturday 10.5 at 09:30.
Cost: 45-66 NIS.
Contact details: 03 638 8688; 057 200 3030.

Springs at Zin Valley
What is it: A family jeep tour through the countryside and by the springs and along short walking tracks within the Zin Valley near Kibbutz Sde Boker in the central Negev. During the trip you will travel through the wide open spaces of the valley, visit the huge desert in the region and then finish with a refreshing splash in the spring.

When: Saturday 10.5 at 10:00.
Cost: 273-387 NIS per jeep.

Encounter with the park birds
What is it: Tens of species of migrant birds are prevented from inhabiting the heart of Tel Aviv. In Park Hayarkon in Tel Aviv, you will come cross warblers, orioles, starlings and even exotic birds that have managed to escape from the zoo and now endanger the local birds.

When: Saturday 10.5 at 08:30.
Cost: 51-75 NIS.
Contact details: 03 638 8688; 057 200 3030.

We proclaim the establishment of the State!
What is it: A family hike to commemorate 60 years of the State in Rabin Park, Latrun, where you will solve interesting puzzles, discover facts that you didn't know about the people that created the State and walk or drive in private cars along the paths that run through the park.

When: Friday and Saturday, 9-10 May at 10:00.
Cost: 30 NIS children; 20 NIS for an accompanying parent.
Contact details: "Forest Line" of the Jewish National Fund 1800 350 550

Watching birds up close
In the fish ponds at Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael, you will encounter coots, herons, storks and cormorants and thousands of other birds that will leave Israel to enjoy the warmer climes of Africa during the winter months.

When: Saturday 10.5 at 08:00. Exit from the gate at Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael.
Cost: 39-60 NIS.
Contact details: 03 638 8688; 057 200 3030.

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